Description
A fast and easy weeknight dinner featuring crispy, pan-seared shrimp coated in spices, served on warm corn tortillas with a tangy lime cream sauce and crunchy cabbage slaw.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp avocado or vegetable oil
- 8–10 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- Juice of 1–2 limes
- Pinch of salt for sauce
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Optional: Avocado, guacamole, or hot sauce
Instructions
- Pat the thawed shrimp extremely dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- In a shallow dish, mix the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Toss the dry shrimp in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to create a light coating.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and is just about to smoke.
- Add shrimp to the pan in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding).
- Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and pink, then remove to a plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt to make the cream sauce.
- Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan or directly over a flame for 30 seconds per side.
- Assemble tacos by spreading cream sauce on tortillas, adding cabbage, shrimp, and garnishing with green onions and lime.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp is still crunchy.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before cooking to prevent steaming. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. The cream sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and bake the shrimp at 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos per serving
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: shrimp tacos, crispy shrimp, quick dinner, weeknight meals, seafood tacos, cream sauce, easy recipes, 20 minute meals